A Barnard Castle man has escaped a prison term after pleading guilty to attempted sexual assault in the ladies’ toilet of a local pub while drunk.
Durham Crown Court heard on Friday, December 29 that Adrian Wood, of Montalbo Road, had been drinking all day and was high on cocaine, when he exposed himself to a woman in December last year.
The 35-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault and indecent exposure.
The court also heard that Wood had been issued with a caution the day after the incident after being found in possession of a class A substance.
In describing the incident Judge Nathan Adams said: “You had got drunk during the course of the day, you had also been taking cocaine and you have little memory of what you then did.
“[The victim] had gone into the female toilets, there was no one else in there and you followed her in. She thought that, understandably, strange in the circumstances.
“She just ignored you and went about her business.
“You went into a cubicle and called her in. She thought you were feeling unwell so went inside. Apart from you feeling unwell, you had your trousers and underpants down around your ankles.
“You then approached her to grab her, then she fled the toilets.”
The judge described the impact on the victim as profound, and she had lost confidence in going for a night out in the town.
The judge imposed an 18-month community order on Wood and failure to comply could lead to six months in prison. He also ordered that Wood attend six months of alcohol rehabilitation courses.
Judge Adams added: “You clearly do have a problem with alcohol and cocaine. You need to accept that. In terms of cocaine, I hope you realise the risk that poses.
“In simple terms possession is a serious offence, associating with wherever you are getting it from is a very serious offence and you are now on the police radar.”
The judge further imposed a restraining order preventing Wood from making contact with the victim or attending her home address for a period of five years.
Breaching the restraining order could also result in a prison term, the judge said.
Wood was ordered to provide police with his details within three days and to report to Probation Services for 20 days during the community order.
